Vocabulary of Calling: Defining and Analyzing the Concept of Calling at Southern Adventist University
Presentation Type
Oral Presentation
Description
The concept of finding meaning in one’s career path has been conveyed through the idea that work is a personal calling (Dik & Duffy, 2009). The majority of definitions of calling in the current literature include the idea that work as a calling brings a unique meaning and purpose to work (Dik & Duffy, 2009; Dik & Shimizu, 2019). Interest in defining and promoting calling has partly emerged from increased importance among college students to derive a sense of purpose from their work (Gallup, 2021). In response to this, many colleges and universities have launched initiatives to promote a deeper understanding of vocation among students through the concept of work as a calling (The Council of Independent Colleges., n.d.). Faith based institutions in particular have a unique interest in the topic of calling because their goal is often to help students relate vocational calling to the overarching idea of God’s calling for their lives as a whole (Phillips, 2011). The purpose of our study was to add to the literature by surveying how students at a faith-based university conceptualize calling, and to analyze whether they have a unique understanding of the concept.
Vocabulary of Calling: Defining and Analyzing the Concept of Calling at Southern Adventist University
The concept of finding meaning in one’s career path has been conveyed through the idea that work is a personal calling (Dik & Duffy, 2009). The majority of definitions of calling in the current literature include the idea that work as a calling brings a unique meaning and purpose to work (Dik & Duffy, 2009; Dik & Shimizu, 2019). Interest in defining and promoting calling has partly emerged from increased importance among college students to derive a sense of purpose from their work (Gallup, 2021). In response to this, many colleges and universities have launched initiatives to promote a deeper understanding of vocation among students through the concept of work as a calling (The Council of Independent Colleges., n.d.). Faith based institutions in particular have a unique interest in the topic of calling because their goal is often to help students relate vocational calling to the overarching idea of God’s calling for their lives as a whole (Phillips, 2011). The purpose of our study was to add to the literature by surveying how students at a faith-based university conceptualize calling, and to analyze whether they have a unique understanding of the concept.